UKCA & CE Marking Explained: What Joiners Need to Know

14 April 2026

If you manufacture or install timber windows or doors, you’ve likely heard plenty about UKCA and CE marking, but understanding what they mean in practice isn’t always straightforward. At SD Hardware, we believe compliance should feel clear, not complicated, so here’s a simple breakdown of what matters and why it’s relevant to your day-to-day work.

Why UKCA and CE Marking Matter

UKCA and CE markings confirm that construction products meet recognised performance standards. For joinery manufacturers, this includes important characteristics such as fire performance, weather resistance, durability, and overall product reliability. These markings are linked to a Declaration of Performance (DoP), which outlines how a product performs in relation to specific criteria.

In short, the correct marking helps ensure that the products you manufacture, specify, or install are compliant for use on the UK market, giving you and your customers confidence in the finished result.

When Does Each Marking Apply?

Which marking is used depends on how the product has been assessed. Products tested and verified under UK-designated standards typically carry the UKCA mark, while those assessed under EU-harmonised standards may carry the CE marking. For many joinery businesses, the key takeaway is to ensure the products you source are supported by the correct documentation and clearly labelled.

What Information Should Be Included?

Compliant products should be supplied with key details, such as:

• Manufacturer identification
• Product type and intended use
• Reference to the Declaration of Performance
• Relevant technical standards
• Declared performance values

This information might appear directly on the product, on packaging, or within supporting documentation. While it may seem technical, it ultimately ensures transparency and traceability throughout the supply chain. The UKCA or CE marking must be accompanied by the information set out in the table below. This information may be printed on, or otherwise applied directly to, the product or a label attached to it.

	The UK or CE symbol. These must be no less than 5mm high when shown on the label
25	The last two digits of the year in which this specific UK or CE marking was affixed for the first time
Name & address	The name and registered address of the manufacturer, or an identifying mark which easily allows the identification of the name and address of the manufacturer
Unique identification code of the product type	The unique identification code of the product type without any ambiguity, which will link the UK or CE marking to the DoP
Reference number of the declaration of performance	In case the unique identification code of the product type is not the same as the reference number of the DoP, you will also have to include this number
Declared performance	The declared product performance for those essential characteristics which are not entered as NPD (No Performance Determined)
Reference to the harmonised technical specification	The UK designated or EU harmonised standard or EAD applied to assess the product. This can be undated as the information will be on the DoP
Identification number of the Approved or Notified Body	The identification number of the UK Approved or EU Notified Body(ies), for essential characteristics subject to AVCP systems 1, 1+, 2+ or 3
Intended use(s)	The intended use or uses; this must be the same as the information in the DoP
Website where the DoP can be found	If the DoP is available on a website a link can be included